Better sharpening skills and gear question - again

[Clint Simpson]

OK, I am at my wits end. I have a Razor Edge Systems sharpener and I love it. The fine stone gives the blade a nice toothy edge that in wicked sharp and grabs hold of what you are cutting. The problem is I can’t let good enough be. I want polished sharp! I want gleaming sharp! I want so sharp the hair on my arm just MELTS away.

The RES will let my knife shave hair, but just barely. So Question #1 is: am I doing something wrong? This is from the company whose owner shaved with an ax!

#2 I am not looking for a whole new set. My current plan is to buy a very fine benchstone and use that. I’m looking at around $30 and longer than six inches. I have the six inch RES and I can see where a bigger stone is more useful. Where can I find something like this, and what grit should I use? Is 1000 not enough? Is 6000 too much?

#3 Do I need some additional sharpening aids? Would a strop or steel be better for me? If so what kind?

Once again gentlemen (and ladies) for educating your humble student.

 

[Crayola]

I have the RES kit, and I can shave with my edges. By the way, I too love how toothy the fine stone makes a blade.

Get or make a strop. That ought to fix most of your problems right now. Some CrO compound and a strip of leather contact cemented to a board will get you super sharp edges.

As far as fine edges go, you may want to look at the Spyderco Bench Hones. They make a fine and an extra fine. If I were you, I'd go for the extra fine. Use a strop for now and save up for the x-fine spydie.

P.S., don't ya love the guides? Man do they doa nice sharpening job.

 

[oneslowbird]

Clint, if you want polished razor sharp edges, then order the strop and Veritas compound from Lee Valley. I heard all the hype about it and decided to give it a try. I ordered the combo package with the compound and wood backed strop. Very good quality and very nice price. All the hype was for a good reason. This stuff is awesome. Later, Alex

 

[Cliff Stamp]

Clint Simpson :

This is from the company whose owner shaved with an ax!

All my axes have a very high polish and will push shave easily. Wood cutting axes have much lower bevels than most "tactical" knives so at the same level of edge finish they will shave much better, as the cutting ability is higher.

Where can I find something like this, and what grit should I use? Is 1000 not enough? Is 6000 too much?

Japanese Waterstones offer a very high level of polish, and are not that expensive. You can also try very fine sandpaper, Lee Valley sells 15 and 5 micron SiC, and 0.5 micron CrO, the latter is about as fine as you can get.

As well, as mentioned in the above, a good quality stropping paste and pressed leather will refine an edge really well also. The CrO sandpaper from Lee Valley gives a similar level of finish, but takes you there faster. It is fairly expensive though.

As to the level of polish, experiment and see what works best for you.

-Cliff